Why a Booktrail?
1980s: A story of isolation, love and mystery set on the south island of New Zealand and the lovely west coast beaches
The Bone People
What you need to know before your trail
This won the Booker Prize in 1985, and it is a story of a Maori artist who lives in her own little world convinced that this is the only world she will ever know. But during a rain storm she meets a young mute boy and befriends him. There has obviously been some trauma in his past and Kerewin feels compelled to help, understanding his isolation in some way.
However, not long after his father arrives on the scene. A maori factory worker with a fowl temper; he doesn’t seem happy that the boy has found a safe haven.
There are some serious issues looked at here such as alcoholism and child abuse which are hard to read however.
Travel Guide
Travel on a journey of discovery through New Zealand, along the stunning beaches of the West coast. The eeriness of the story is highlighted by the landscape – the isolation and the sense of remoteness and loneliness. Certain places such as the a tower where the artist hides illustrates her isolation in the environment and from society.
When three very different characters meet, their story is a unique one – part mystery and part love story, you can read this as look at how Maori and European New Zealand come together, live side by side, clash and even join forces.
The use of the Mauri language (there is a helpful dictionary at the back) and the symbolism of this unique culture is a good way to further get into the themes of the book.
Where Next?
